30 Days on the Whole 30–My Story

I have mentioned a few times in my weekly wrap ups (and a lot on my Instagram and Twitter) that I have been doing the Whole 30.
If you have not heard of the Whole 30 you can get an overview here.  However, to sum it up:
(No Beans includes peas, peanuts and soy)

FOR 30 DAYS!!

I NEVER in a million years thought I would do something like this!  I’ve been feeling drawn to a Gluten Free diet for sometime now, but have been pushing it aside.  When people would talk about food based documentaries and go on about food, I would plug my ears!  I LOVED food, I didn’t want to ruin it! I knew bread messed with me, but I didn’t want to give it up!  I have suffered with medical  issues for years (Diagnosed Lupus about 11 years ago, though that was retracted about 3 years ago…back to square one, not sure what’s wrong with me!).  I had been noticing some hormonal changes, as well as an uncontrollable temper lately too.  After lots of prayer, I felt it important to look VERY closely at my DIET!  After all, a car with bad fuel doesn’t run well at all, right?  Neither do we!

I began to research Gluten Free versus Paleo, and found out about Whole 30!  I pretty much cut grains and dairy from my diet immediately, and noticed a difference right away!  I also noticed a huge difference when I did eat them after not eating them often (not a good difference!). 
I spent about a month (or more) researching and reading up on Whole 30.  I started to stock my pantry with Whole 30 compliant items a few days before my projected start date.  I felt prepared!  I think these are the MOST IMPORTANT key to success on the WHOLE 30!  Education and Preparation!

 

^^THE BEST PLACE TO START^^

Reading labels was a very eye opening experience for me!  I have come to learn that there is basically SUGAR in EVERYTHING!  Things you wouldn’t even expect sugar to me in (like meat) there is SUGAR!  It’s crazy!!!  I mean, I’m pretty sure that’s the answer to our obesity epidemic!  HELLO!!?? 
After one shopping trip of reading A LOT of labels and putting A LOT of things back, I learned what was compliant and what wasn’t, and each shopping trip thereafter was a bit easier.  I still label read new products once in a while, but for the most part I now know what to buy and what NOT TO BUY!  Shopping is much easier!  I’ll be honest, I didn’t buy the highest quality of meat (which is a recommendation, grass-fed, free pasture, etc…); it was too pricey for my family of 6.  I did stay within the RULES though, and for the most part my family ate what I age (for dinner at least). 
I ordered some items on line, you can make your own mayo and dressings, but for me I knew I would not get around to it and that would be my stumbling block!  So I ordered from Tessame’s (receive 20% off with my link), LOVE their Whole30 starter pack!  I just reordered a few of the dressing from it that I have used up!  I also ordered a few things from Thrive Market on a free trial membership, I didn’t find enough there to justify the yearly fee (for me, however). 
I have a Whole 30 Pinterest board where I have pinned a lot of the information I found helpful, yummy recipes and more! 
If you follow my Instagram you can see my daily meals! 
I honestly don’t feel myself missing any of the old food….I have NEVER eaten this good!  I kid you not!  Everything has been so delicious and enjoyable.  I really am appreciating food more than ever! 
As part of educating myself, I found it helpful to also understand the stages that one goes through during the 30 days.  It’s a rocky road in the beginning, sugar withdrawal, grouchiness, headaches, etc..  Be aware that these will occur, don’t let it discourage you.  It’s a whole new ball game around day 19 or so (maybe even sooner!).
This Facebook group has been great too!  Every once in a while I felt like I needed reassuring about something, or I just had a question.  They are great!  Be warned they are strict and they follow rules and recommendations!  But it’s a great knowledge base and motivation factor!

How’d it work for me?
I wasn’t looking for weight loss here.  Heck, if I loose weight, I’ll need to buy new clothes, and I have just recently purchased a ton…not wanting to do that!  But I just weighed myself this morning and I lost 11 lbs.  (I actually shed a couple pounds before I started, by just cutting grains and dairy, but I didn’t weigh myself before Day 1).  So I went from 138 to 127.  I had to go into my Stitch Fix profile and change my sizes!  My current clothes still fit, but are a little baggy.  I had to put a belt on the other day!
So NSVs (Non Scale Victories) for me are:
*Lost that tummy bloat
*Less tired all the time/More energy
*More patience
*Slower to anger/get frustrated
*Sleeping better (when undisturbed, I still have kids!)
*I feel full (no snacking!)
*No sugar/chocolate cravings
*Don’t miss the ‘old’ food
*Not as many aches/pains
ENERGY??!! – I just wanted to give an example of how my energy has increased.  Typically I’m DONE by lunch…grumpy, tired, don’t feel like doing anything!  Co-op days are very draining!  But, last week for co-op….we hit Costco afterwards, I came home unloaded the car, put the groceries away, made dinner (yummy pork chops), did the dishes, washed, dried and folded several loads of laundry and didn’t go to bed until 1030!  I felt great! 
Where am I going from here?
I have decided to stay Paleo, at least 80% of the time (most likely more).  I am looking into a Emeals subscription for their Paleo menus. I tried out one of their recipes for dinner and it was good!  Even the kids ate it up!

Herbed Salmon Burger and Broccoli Slaw from their FREE menu under Paleo (1 of 3 Paleo recipes available for FREE)
I am looking forward to experimenting with baking Paleo treats!  There are so many yummy Paleo desserts (I have a pinterest board for that!) But I have NO DESIRE to go back to my old way of eating.
For the kids, I have switched them to mostly Gluten Free….for convenience purposes, I haven’t switched them completely.  But I know only buy Gluten Free cereals (Cheerios, Chex, Kix, etc…) and Gluten Free snack foods, but they still get sandwiches (Gluten Free bread is $$$$).  I’ve noticed a HUGE difference in their behavior (especially my oldest who exhibited ADD behaviors).
The thing I have learned most of all though is LABEL READING!  Previously looking at a label was overwhelming; I didn’t even know what I was looking for, what was good, what was bad, etc…  Now I have a better idea of what to look for. We are eating more fresh over all, and I am a lot more picky about packaged foods.  I also discovered that my regular grocery store carries quite a bit of compliant foods!  SCORE! 
My next goal is to use all this new found energy and get motivated to exercise!  I started out the new year doing fairly well, but it fizzled.  I am so out of shape, and feel now that my body has the RIGHT FUEL, I need to get into shape!  I started this on Day 28 and am going well!  I finally feel like the exercise is energizing me and helping, as opposed to just taking what little (if any) energy I had left (Pre Whole 30).
I’m looking forward to continuing my journey!